Nationals or Expatriates? The Key to Lasting Impact in BAM

by Mike Baer

As the global Business as Mission (BAM) movement has evolved into a truly global (all nations) effort, a strategic question surfaces more and more often—should we focus on sending more expatriates to lead BAM initiatives in other countries, or is the greater impact found in equipping and supporting local nationals to build BAM businesses in their own regions?

And, as we explore this question, let’s go back to the foundational principles of the modern BAM movement (and, indeed, BAM through the ages). First, business, like all of life, is created by God for His glory and the good of humanity. That means God is has used it and is using it and calling many into it. Second, God’s heart is for the nations, the ethnoi, the people groups of the entire earth. The Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) and its companion verse in Acts (Acts 1:8) make it clear that all peoples and, especially, the unreached peoples should remain at the center of today’s BAM efforts. If we use these two principles as harbor lights, we can arrive at a strategic and biblical answer to the question.

At first glance, the straight forward answer is “both.” Indeed, God is calling His whole church to reach all peoples: Acts 1:8 tells us that the power of the Holy Spirit was given so that we, God’s people, can be His “witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Many communities around the world have no local believers, no way of knowing who Jesus is. For the Good News to reach those people, cultural and geographical boundaries will likely need to be crossed. I want to say right at the start, if God has been clearly stirring you for BAM in a particular place, to reach a particular underserved people, the intention here is not to discourage you. We need more, not less, individuals willing to plant businesses cross-culturally, or in near cultures. There are plenty of resources here on the BAM Blog and in the Resource Library to help you do that effectively—and the principles below on partnering with those who know the cultural context well will stand you in good stead.

Yet, as we dig deeper and zoom out to consider our strategic focus as a movement, I believe the scales begin to tip. If the goal is lasting transformation—socially, spiritually, environmentally, and economically—the weight rests on empowering nationals. This isn’t to dismiss the critical role of expatriates, but to recognize that the future of BAM depends on a strategic shift toward greater mobilization and equipping of those already embedded in the culture and context.

So, what does this look like in practice? Let’s unpack the rationale, the roles, and the blueprint for moving forward.

The Biblical Case for Multiplication through Locals

The Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) sets the tone. Jesus didn’t stay in one place to oversee the growth of the early Church—He raised up local leaders. Paul followed the same model, planting churches but quickly transitioning leadership to local believers (Titus 1:5). The principle is simple: outsiders may initiate, but insiders multiply.

In the same way, expatriates can spark the BAM movement in new regions, but true cultural transformation takes root when nationals catch the vision, take ownership, and drive it forward.

Why the focus on nationals? I see four key reasons:

1. Cultural Fluency and Trust

Nationals possess an innate understanding of the language, customs, and social dynamics of their regions. These factors are essential in building relationships, establishing trust, and leading businesses that are culturally relevant.

Expatriates may take years to develop a basic level of insight—if they ever do. In contrast, nationals already hold many of these keys, allowing them to navigate business and discipleship opportunities with greater ease and fluidity.

2. Sustainability and Scalability

As Mats Tunehag, Chairman of BAM Global, points out—scaling BAM impact requires a critical mass of initiatives. Expat-led businesses often result in arithmetic growth—one business at a time. Nationals, however, can catalyze geometric growth. One national succeeding creates a ripple effect, encouraging others to follow suit.

Bob Bush of IBEC Ventures echoes this idea, highlighting how national-led businesses in Brazil have multiplied faster than expat-led initiatives. This model isn’t just sustainable; it’s scalable.

3. Overcoming Economic and Political Barriers

In many restricted or challenging environments, expats face additional hurdles beyond the basic language and cultural challenges—visa issues, foreign investment restrictions, and cultural skepticism. Nationals bypass these roadblocks.

Local businesses are less likely to draw negative attention from authorities and can often access capital through local investors or firms. As Bush shares, IBEC’s Center of Excellence in Brazil thrived precisely because it was led by locals who understood how to maneuver within their economic, spiritual, and political environment.

4. Long-Term Presence

One undeniable truth—most expats leave, eventually. Whether for family reasons, health, or shifting seasons of life or because that was their plan all along, expatriates often serve in a foreign country for a limited time. Nationals stay. They are home. They are the long-term leaders who disciple, mentor, and expand the work over decades.

If BAM is to have generational impact, nationals must be at the forefront.

The Role of Expatriates: Catalysts, Not Carriers

Despite the emphasis on nationals, expatriates still play a critical role. As Tunehag notes, expats can catalyze local vision, introducing new ideas, technologies, and opportunities that nationals may not have encountered.

Bush further underscores that expatriates often excel at networking, connecting national BAM practitioners to global resources, investors, and mentors. When expats step into advisory and equipping roles, their value is multiplied through the nationals they empower.

However, the caution is clear—expats who attempt to lead BAM efforts without cultural preparation or collaboration often experience failure. As Steve Rundle, Emeritus Professor at Biola University, put it to me succinctly: “Expats are arithmetic unless they become catalysts and equippers to nationals. Nationals are geometric.”

Partnership: The Blueprint for BAM’s Future

The future of BAM isn’t an either/or—it’s both/and. But the model matters. Here’s a possible pathway forward:

• Expats as Catalysts: Enter new regions, launch businesses, and equip local leaders. Focus on mentorship and coaching more than doing.
• Nationals as Multipliers: Take ownership, scale the vision, and embed the business deeply within the cultural context.
• Collaborative Ecosystems: Create environments where expats and nationals work together in partnership, sharing knowledge and resources. Over time, expats transition into advisory roles while nationals lead the charge.

Real-Life Example: Building from Within

IBEC Ventures’ experience in Brazil provides a concrete illustration. Rather than relying on expatriates to launch a BAM initiative, they invested in training six national BAM coaches. Within months, four BAM businesses were onboarded, with the goal of expanding to 20-25 businesses within a year.

This rapid growth—fueled by local ownership—would not have been possible under an expat-driven model.

A Movement, Not a Moment

At its core, BAM is about long-term transformation—not temporary success stories. Nationals represent the future of this movement. They hold the potential to create lasting economic, spiritual, social, and environmental impact in ways expats cannot fully replicate.

However, expats remain indispensable catalysts, sparking initiatives and empowering local leaders. When both groups work in tandem—expats lighting the fire, where needed, and nationals keeping it burning—the result is a movement capable of transforming nations for the glory of God.

Conclusion

So, where should our focus lie? With a heartfelt nod to the spirit of collaboration, I believe the future mandate is to equip the national. Empower the local. And where it is necessary, let expats be the spark that ignites the flame. Together, they form the backbone of a global BAM movement that has the power to transform communities and entire industries, all for the Kingdom.

 

 

 

Photo by Ihor Malytskyi on Unsplash